Family of origin - a predictive factor of the family model embraced by students. Comparative study in Bihor-Hajdu-Bihar Euro-region

The present study aims to fill the research gap regarding the marital and reproductive attitudes and behaviours of students appertaining to two similar but differentiated socio-cultural areas: the Western border of Romania (Bihor county) and the Eastern border of Hungary (Hajdu-Bihar area). A secondary analysis was conducted on the data collected within HERD research among 1.323 Romanian and 1.295 Hungarian higher education students. Comparing the samples, the results showed differences and resemblances: the family background determines students' marital and reproductive behavior for both samples but the decision to establish an own family is biased by groups, being affected by social, cultural, educational and financial factors. The fact that, opposite to the Hungarian sample, the financial stability is considered by the Romanian students to be the most important element when deciding to have a family, could be interpreted as an alarm sign for the authorities; they must create an optimum context for the proliferation of new families. Although Romanian students manifest attitudes that aim to transcend traditional norms, they are still being exposed to the influence of these values, while Hungarian students are more affected by modern social norms. Reprinted by permission of Editura Academiei Române